Town annual report of Plymouth, MA 1928-1929, Part 7

Author:
Publication date: 1928
Publisher: Town of Plymouth
Number of Pages: 738

USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of Plymouth, MA 1928-1929 > Part 7

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

The big event in our 1928 history, was the completion and opening of the new Children's Room on March 15th, which was made possible by Miss Appleton's generous bequest of $10,000. This new room, which was remod- elled from a large part of the basement which had been used as a store-room, has proved to be most satisfactory in every way, and an immense relief to the congested con- ditions upstairs, as well as a great joy to the children under 14 (and many others who are older) who make use of it. The outside entrance eliminates all of the con- fusion caused by the children going in and out of the main door, and the large windows admit plenty of fresh air and sunlight. The most up-to-date and attractive equip- ment furnished by the Yawman & Erbe Company, com- pletes what everyone concedes to be a most attractive room. The chief result of the opening of this new room is the large increase in the circulation of the children's

-106-

books, and the necessity for having additional help in the Children's Room at times. Miss Babcock, the Children's Librarian, finds it impossible to attend to all matters per- taining to the Children's Room, and there should be an assistant available whenever she is needed. This has not been possible during the past year, because of the rush of work and demands made on the assistants upstairs.

The development of the Intermediate Department, at one end of the Children's Room, for those boys and girls who are advanced readers, is proving to be a most worth while and interesting project, and helps tremendously in solving the problem for those readers who are not 14 in years, but who are much older mentally. "The Children's Story Hour" has been held as usual on every other Satur- day morning, from November until May. The first story hour of the winter took place in "Book Week," which was celebrated during the week of November 11th. Miss Margaret Kyle, the author of "Little Sister" was the story-teller, and the children were much delighted to have as their entertainer, the author of their beloved book. On December 21st, in honor of Forefather's Day, Miss Rose Briggs told many thrilling and inspiring incidents in the lives of the Pilgrim children. The other story- hours have been most successfully conducted by Miss Babcock. 269 children attended the Story Hours in 1928, and on these mornings, every chair, table, and window- sill is often occupied !

The 1928 "Book Week Celebration" was the first one to be held in the new room, and it was a most attractive exhibit in every way. The new books were arranged on a special table and in every nook and corner, and the walls were decorated with pictures and posters which most aptly portrayed the love of good books and encour- aged the habit of reading. Many parents visited the ex- hibit, as well as the hundreds of children. In connection with the celebration, a Poster Contest was held, and two books were offered as prizes for the best and second best

-107-

posters presented by the pupils of the 7th grade in the Junior High school, which most effectively suggested the results to be obtained from an intimate contact with books. The posters were on exhibition in the Children's Room for several weeks, and brought forth much admir- ing and enthusiastic comment. The judges finally awarded the first prize to Carlo Guidoboni for his poster entitled "Enter This Place," and the second to Willis Roberts for "Let Us All Read." A "Book Week" film was also exhibited at the Old Colony Theatre throughout the entire week.

A large and important part of the work carried on by both the Children's Room and the Adult Department is the work in connection with the schools. The develop- ment and growth of this phase of our library activities has been a steadily increasing one, until now it is impos- sible to supply the demands made upon our small collec- tion of books. 7750 books were circulated by the schools in 1928, 5456 more than in 1926, and 1152 more than in 1927. This would be still larger if the necessary books were available. Since neither the High School nor the Junior High School maintains a library, all of their ref- ence work is done at the Public Library. In 1928, 11,457 reference questions were recorded at the Desk, more than three times the total number listed in 1926, and 3686 more than in 1927. When it is realized that the majority of these questions is the result of class assignments in home- work, the definite contribution from the Library to the educational system of the town can hardly be overesti- mated. The public library of today helps to finish what the schools begin, and the modern project method of teaching, which might use fifty books for one subject, in place of the one text-book of years ago, could scarcely be carried on without the aid of the public library. These facts should be realized by our citizens, because it is im- possible for the Library to supply the just demands made upon it by the pupils and teachers alike, without the neces-

-108-

sary funds with which to employ adequate assistance and to buy the necessary books. During 1928, every school- room below the Junior High School, three rooms in the Junior High School, and three rooms in the High School were furnished with deposits of books. These deposits are changed as soon as the classes have finished with them.

An important development in connection with our school work has been that of instructing the 8th grade pupils of the Junior High School in the use of the Li- brary. Last year, from January until June, each English class was given two lessons, first in how to use the cat- alogue and find the books upon the shelves, and the sec- ond in how to know and use the reference books.

The interest in the State Certificate reading continues to increase each year, until in 1928, every 4th, 5th, and 6th grade in town was working for the Honor Certificates which are awarded by the Mass. Dept. of Education, through the Division of Public Libraries, to every boy or girl who has read 20 books on the State Certificate Read- ing List, five of which must be non-fiction. On Friday, June 22nd, for the sixth successive year, these schools observed the presentation of the Honor Certificates. The Librarian and Children's Librarian attended the exer- cises at the Cornish and Knapp Schools, where short dramas of the favorite books were presented and a long- er play, called "The Libr'y and the Joneses," which called forth peals of amusement from everyone present. So much interest is taken in these exercises, devoted entirely to portraying the benefits to be derived from loving good books, that this celebration is looked forward to more eagerly each year. After the plays were finished, the Librarian gave a short talk on the value of the "Certifi- cate Reading" and the love of books in general. 117 "Honor Certificates" were presented, 16 more than last year, showing that 2340 books were read for the Honor Certificates alone.

-109-

490 children earned one or more Certificates toward their Honor Certificates, indicating that in all, 4790 books were read in connection with this one phase of our li- brary's work, as each Honor Certificate represents 20 books, and each separate certificate represents five books.

The total circulation of the past year was 104,789, the largest circulation in the history of the Library, and a gain 14,640 over that of last year, nearly twice the 54,943 of 1924, and over four times the 25,456 of 1916.

The total attendance of 59,964 for reading and study alone, again exceeded that of any other year by 6889. The adult attendance was 35,427, and the juvenile was 24,537. The gain of 6889 in the attendance was entirely in the adult department, but because of the separation of the two departments last March, a more definite line be- tween adult and juvenile has been drawn, and many over 14 in the past were probably counted as juvenile, while all over 14 are now counted as adults. Another year will give more accurate information about this. 93,977

The total circulation of 104,789 consists of 95,077 at the main desks, 7750 school circulation, 1186 at the Jor- dan Hospital, 604 at Long Pond, and 172 at Ellisville. Of the 95,077 circulated at the main desks, 70,286 was the adult total and 23,691 was the juvenile, which with its 7750 circulated by the schools, reached a total of 30,298, largest juvenile circulation on record. 1275 prints were circulated and 1838 periodicals. 321 Yiddish, German, Italian, French, Spanish, and Russian books were issued. The total non-fiction circulation from the main desks was 21,036, 14,058 of which was adult, and 6978 was juvenile.

180 books were borrowed through the Inter-Library Loan system, books which are too expensive or of too limited appeal for the Library to buy. The resources of the departmental libraries in Washington, the State House Library, the Massachusetts Division of Public Li- braries, the Boston Public Library, the Brookline Public

-110-

Library, and that of Brockton, as well as the Medical, Congregational and New England Historical Society Li- braries are all available. Deposits in Italian, German and Yiddish are borrowed regularly from the Division of Public Libraries and exchanged when they have been read through.

During 1928, 1829 borrowers registered at the Library, 980 more than in 1927. Of these, 585 were new names, 391 were adult, and 184 were juvenile. The largest num- ber of new temporary borrowers, 187, was also recorded this year. The total number of active borrowers is now 3647. With our automatic expiration of the borrower's card at the end of every three years, only the active regis- trations are contained in the file.

1869 books were added to the Library including new books, gifts, and replacements. 58 books were discard- ed, and there are now approximately 22,008 books upon the shelves.

The Literary and Library Extension Committee of the Woman's Club has contributed its usual assistance in the collecting and distribution of the periodicals from Club members to the Boy's Club, the Marines, Jordan Hospital, County Farm, the Norwell State Police Bar- racks, and the Open-Air Hospital at South Hanson.

The Librarian has continued her weekly visits to the Jordan Hospital, and whenever it has been impossible for her to go, Miss Sampson has gone instead. This has been a most gratifying and satisfying experience, and 1186 books were circulated as a result of our efforts there. The little Branch Library at Long Pond is flour- ishing and growing under the generous and careful ad- ministration of Mrs. W. E. Randall, and 604 books were issued in that village during 1928, over 200 more than a year ago. This has been the first year of the Branch Li- brary at Ellisville, in the home of Mrs. Ernest Ellis. and 172 books were given out to the residents of that small hamlet. Mrs. Ellis wrote a most appreciative note, telling

-111-

what great pleasure and comfort the books had given to everyone of the villagers, and how very grateful they were for this privilege.

In addition to the improvements in the basement, a new delivery desk, which was built and made to order, was installed in the Adult Department. This has been of immense assistance in the serving of our increasing pub- lic and is most satisfying in every way. The original desk was cut down and placed in the Children's Room. Two new double tiers of stacks were placed on the bal- cony floor, and a new bulletin-board was purchased for the Reading Room. That part of the Reading Room which had been the Children's Corner, has been con- verted into the Reference Corner, much to everyone's comfort and advantage. The dead linden tree at the cor- ner of the Library grounds has been removed, and a new cement sidewalk is a great improvement to the front of the Library. A fine new rubber mat, which was very much needed, adorns the entrance.

In concluding this report, the Librarian hopes that the following summary and recommendations will be care- fully considered : that with a circulation of 104,789, five full-time assistants are absolutely necessary in place of the four which we now have; that this last year it was possible to add only 16 more books than in 1927, and with our large increase in the circulation, it is clearly evident that many more books are needed to supply any- where near the varied demands which are made upon us. Our income is still the lowest of that of any library of our size in this part of Massachusetts, and our salaries among the lowest. In 1928 our total income amounted to about 79 cents per capita, 63 cents of which came from the town appropriation. It is earnestly hoped that the Di- rectors will do all in their power to obtain a larger ap- propriation for 1929, which will bring our income near- er the $1.00 per capita, which the American Library As- sociation recognizes as a minimum for a library's sup-

-112-

port. The salaries of the assistants should be raised, since after several years' work the junior assistants are not yet receiving the $1,000 per annum, which the Mass. Division of Public Libraries recommends as an initial salary. The Library is also in urgent need of a new cabinet for the self-list and a new case for periodicals.

It has once again been of great benefit to the Library that there has been no change in the Staff during 1928, and the Librarian wishes to express her sincere apprecia- tion of the loyal co-operation of the Staff and the Board of Directors without which no library can be successfully conducted. The Librarian and members of the Staff have attended the meetings of the Mass. Library Club, the Old Colony Library Club, and the Children's Librarians' Round Table of Boston. The Librarian was elected Pres- ident of the Old Colony Library Club in October, 1928, and was invited in August, 1928, to serve on the Mass. Library Club's "Committee on Work with Foreigners."

The Library is most grateful for a bequest of $500.00 from the late Miss Caroline Warren, and for several fine pictures from her home ; also for a gift of $50.00 from the Woman's Club to be used in the purchase of children's books; to Mr. Charles Moning for space on the screen at the Old Colony Theatre; to Mr. Paul Bittinger for the generous amount of space in the Old Colony Memorial for our library articles, and for those which he has written himself ; for pictures from the late Miss Anne P. Apple- ton's home, and from the estate of Miss Carrie Small, and from Miss Lucretia Watson; and to the following donors for many gifts of flowers and books and periodi- cals: Mr. B. F. Walker, Miss Lucretia Watson, Mrs. Wm. S. Townsend, Mrs. George Stephens, Jr., Elizabeth Sampson, Mrs. Vinal Burgess, Mrs. Oscar Huntley, Mrs. Thomas Lee, Mrs. Edward Blackmer, Miss Elizabeth Rutan, the Misses Grozinger, Mrs. Heard, Rev. Alfred R. Hussey, Miss Minnie Batchelder, Miss A. E. Lucas, Car- rie Mace estate, Dr. Edith Cave, Miss Amelia Ellis, Mr.

-113-

Frank Lanman, Miss Barclay, Mrs. H. G. Bartol, Mrs. Grace Burnham, Mrs. Hiram McFall, Mr. John Courtney, Miss Margaret Kyle, Miss F. E. Thayer, Mrs. W. V. Col- lender, Mrs. Joanna Morgan, Dr. and Mrs. Henry Hitch- cock, Howland Davis, and the Plymouth Book Club.

Respectfully submitted,

MINNIE BURKE FIGMIC,

Librarian.

Plymouth Eight

-- 114-

REPORT OF PARK COMMISSIONERS

To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :-

Gentlemen: We respectfully submit the following report for the past year.

BEACH PARK

As in the past seasons this beach has been largely pa- tronized. We have put a surface in the rear of the fish houses thus somewhat enlarging the parking facilities. This season we recommend an appropriation for a sur- face and some filling on the opposite side of the street where the waiting room formerly was, this space to be used for parking. The private bath houses were let for the entire season. Received from rooms $959.40; suits $89.80 ; towels $150.65.

STEPHENS FIELD

Improvements are still going on at this popular play- ground. The pond at the southerly end of the field has been completed and trees planted around it. The filling has nearly been completed. The bath house proved very popular. More playground equipment will be added from time to time as it can be obtained. Bath house receipts : rooms $74.10; suits $16.60; towels $9.80. Circus rental $150.00.

BREWSTER GARDENS

Due to the change of ownership of the property on Leyden Street known as the "first house site" the beauty of this park has been greatly increased. Also changes being made by the Plymouth Electric Light Company will aid in beautifying that section. It is recommended that an appropriation be made for the purchase of the lot on

-115-

Leyden Street next to the Power Station to be added to the park.

SOUTH STREET PLAYGROUNDS

This playground proves very popular with the children of this section of the town. It has received the usual attention.

BURTON PARK

This park has received the usual care.

BATES PARK

Needed repairs were made on this park during the season.

NELSON STREET PLAYGROUND

The usual care was given the playground and much needed repairs made on the bath house. The bath house is very popular although not a great deal of money is taken in. Receipts for rooms $63.00; suits $17.60; tow- els $9.90.

MUNICIPAL CAMP

This proves more popular each year. We made a small charge the past season for each car parked. Number of cars parked during the season were 2,403. Amount re- ceived for parking $600.75.

We have had the wet place on the southerly side drained and filled in. It is all seeded and will be ready for camp- ers the coming season. This filling greatly adds to the camping area. The new fence was started on the south- erly side, this will eventually be carried around the whole camp and playground.

DEPOT PARK

The usual care was given this park. Some more shrub- bery was set out and a connection was made to the water main so that a hose can be used for watering in dry seasons.

-116-

VETERAN'S FIELD

This playground is certainly very popular with the children of the north end. The work of the summer play- ground instructor was carried on here. The gate posts have been erected and the flag pole moved to a point near the memorial tablet. More playground equipment will be added as funds are provided.

TRAINING GREEN The usual care was given this park during the season.

MORTON PARK

The bath house proved more popular the past season. Over 300 pine trees were set out and considerable work done in cutting out blind corners. Trees were sprayed as the work of moths was again noted in the park. There should be an appropriation for electric light and tele- phone lines into the park. Bath house receipts: rooms $188.55; suits $21.40; towels $17.65.

INDIAN LANDS

The usual care was given this reservation the past season.

LOOMIS R. GRANT, MYRON L. SMITH, ROY E. BEAMAN, Park Commissioners.

-117-

REPORT OF PLANNING BOARD

The principal activity of the Planning Board the past year has been a continuation of the study of the Zoning Map and By-law, prepared for the Town by Mr. John P. Fox in 1927.

Public hearings have been held, at which effort has been made to explain in detail the whole zoning project, and interested citizens have appeared before the Board at the regular Planning Board meetings to ask for infor- mation, suggest changes and offer criticisms.

The Board has made an earnest effort to incorporate all helpful suggestions, and it feels that there has re- sulted in the revised Zoning By-law and Map an improve- ment, both in provisions, in districts, and in simplification.

This revised Zoning Map and By-law will be presented to the Town at the regular meeting in March, 1929, and it is the hope of the Board that it will receive favorable consideration from the citizens.

Zoning is a method of regulating community growth along right lines, with special reference to the health, the comfort, the safety, and the general welfare of the people. It prevents confusion of buildings and uses of property, and permits of logical and dependable development. It is protection to the property owner. Sixty percent. of the people of the state are living in zoned communities ; the Planning Board believe that zoning is a good thing for the people of Plymouth.

WESTERLY ROUTE

The Board is gratified to note that at the Town Meeting held in March, 1928, the Town accepted the lay-out of the Westerly Route, so-called, and made an appropriation for grading the same.

-118-

That this was a wise action on the part of the Town seems to be evident from the comments heard, and from the more tangible evidence that building has already begun on this street. It seems certain that such develop- ment will continue, along this very well located way, which can, when the time comes, become a link in a by- pass route around the centre of the Town.

APPROPRIATIONS

We recommend an appropriation of $500 for the en- suing year.

Respectfully submitted,

FRANCIS C. HOLMES, Chairman, ARTHUR E. BLACKMER, Secretary, ELLIS W. BREWSTER, GEORGE L. GOODING.

-119-

BOARD OF HEALTH

Town annual report of Plymouth, MA 1928-1929, Part 7

Author: Publication date: 1928 Publisher: Town of Plymouth Number of Pages: 738

Author:
Publication date: 1928
Publisher: Town of Plymouth
Number of Pages: 738